Low-loss, high-speed, high-TC superconducting bearings

Abstract

A flywheel energy storage device including an iron structure disposed for rotation adjacent a stationary superconductor material structure and a stationary permanent magnet. The stationary permanent magnet levitates the iron structure while the superconductor structure can stabilize and levitate the rotating iron structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A flywheel energy storage device, comprising: an iron structure disposed for rotation adjacent a stationary superconductor material structure and a stationary permanent magnet structure, said iron structure being levitated by said stationary permanent magnet structure.   
     
     
       2. The device of claim 1, wherein said stationary superconductor material structure and said stationary permanent magnet structure are disposed within at least a portion of said iron structure. 
     
     
       3. The device of claim 1, wherein said iron structure comprises ferromagnetic steel. 
     
     
       4. The device of claim 1, wherein said iron structure comprises a ring-shaped structure. 
     
     
       5. The device of claim 1, wherein said iron structure comprises a cylindrical-shaped structure. 
     
     
       6. The device of claim 1, wherein said stationary superconductor material structure comprises a superconductor material capable of allowing magnetic flux to penetrate said material. 
     
     
       7. The device of claim 1, wherein said stationary superconductor material structure is disposed between said iron structure and said stationary permanent magnet structure. 
     
     
       8. A flywheel energy storage device, comprising: iron structure means for rotating adjacent a stationary superconductor material structure means for stabilizing said iron structure means and said iron structure means further disposed for rotating adjacent a stationary permanent magnet means for levitating said iron structure means.   
     
     
       9. The device of claim 8, wherein said stationary superconductor material structure means and said stationary permanent magnet means are disposed within at least a portion of said iron structure means. 
     
     
       10. The device of claim 8, wherein said iron structure means comprises ferromagnetic steel. 
     
     
       11. The device of claim 8, wherein said iron structure means comprises a ring-shaped structure. 
     
     
       12. The device of claim 8, wherein said iron structure means comprises a cylindrical-shaped structure. 
     
     
       13. The device of claim 8, wherein said stationary superconductor material structure means comprises a superconductor material capable of allowing magnetic flux to penetrate said material. 
     
     
       14. The device of claim 8, wherein said stationary superconductor material structure means is disposed between said iron structure means and said stationary permanent magnet means. 
     
     
       15. A flywheel energy storage device, comprising: iron structure means for rotating outside of and adjacent a stationary superconductor material structure means for stabilizing said iron structure means and said iron structure means further disposed for rotating adjacent a stationary permanent magnet means for levitating said iron structure means.   
     
     
       16. A flywheel energy storage device, comprising: a rotary member consisting of iron and disposed for rotation adjacent a stationary superconductor material structure and a stationary permanent magnet levitating means, said rotary member being levitated solely by said stationary permanent magnet levitating means.   
     
     
       17. A flywheel energy storage device, comprising: iron structure means for rotating adjacent a stationary superconductor material structure means for stabilizing said iron structure means and said iron structure means further disposed for rotating adjacent a stationary permanent magnet means for levitating said iron structure means without any intervening magnet structure between said iron structure means and said stationary permanent magnet means.